Patents Assigned to Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4421135
    Abstract: A manually operable hydraulic selector valve includes a plurality of two-way spool valves which are normally closed and are selectively shiftable individually or in pairs by a joy stick operator to open positions whereby motive fluid can be delivered to a given instrumentality such as the jack cylinder of a construction crane outrigger arm. The joy stick carries a conical disc which cammingly engages drive pin extensions of the individual spool valves. A positive stop for the conical disc is afforded by contact of the disc with the mounting plate of the selector valve. The selector valve is employed with an associated two-way directional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Harshman, Lynn A. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 4403110
    Abstract: An assembly including a pair of cable sections having cable ends joined in a splice and an elongated sheath enclosing the cable ends. The elongated sheath defines opposite end openings, each receiving one of the cable sections and having a perimeter substantially conforming to the outer surface thereof. Further defined by the interior of the sheath are both contact surfaces engaging and positioning certain portions of the cable sections' outer surfaces and volumes juxtaposed other portions of those surfaces. A filler material fills the volumes and bonds the sheath to the outer surfaces of the cable sections so as to establish a secure connection therebetween. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable sections comprise electrical conductors jacketed by insulative sleeves that form the outer surfaces and the filler material is electrically insulative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton J. Morrisette
  • Patent number: 4332052
    Abstract: A support assembly for luggage comprises a base plate adapted to be attac to a suitcase, for example, and a support unit, including a caster or runner, that is removably attached to the base plate. The base plate has opposed channels along its longitudinal edges into which the support unit is inserted longitudinally. A stop at the trailing end of the support unit limits insertion of the support unit into the channels, and a latch at the leading end of the support unit prevents unintentional withdrawal of the support unit from the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Remington
  • Patent number: 4329138
    Abstract: The invention is a fuel burner system including an electrical control circuit for initiating fuel flow to a burner in response to a call-for-heat from a condition responsive sensor, and an electrical ignitor for igniting the fuel emanating from the burner. Combustion or purging air is directed to the burner by a fan, the integrity of which is monitored by a sensor circuit that produces a fault signal in response to rotation of the fan at any speed in a given range of speeds. An inhibit circuit inhibits the control circuit to prevent opening of a fuel supply valve in response to the presence of the fault signal. Fan rotation at speeds either above or below a predetermined normal range indicates a malfunction and results in the fault signal that prevents the initiation of fuel flow and a try for ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Riordan
  • Patent number: 4308731
    Abstract: Combination locks employ dial-driven rotary elements that must be turned to predetermined position to open the lock. Each rotary element has a periphery that is circular except for a notch that mates with a ridge portion on cooperable means when the corresponding dial is "on-combination." The cooperable means may comprise a bolt that pivots or slides, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Remington
  • Patent number: 4305469
    Abstract: A fire protection system including a discharge valve for discharging a pressurized extinguishing agent from a storage container into a distribution manifold. Discharge of the agent is induced by a pneumatic release mechanism that responds to the application of fluid pressure. Mounted in predetermined protection zones are a plurality of discharge nozzle arrays, each connected to the outlet of a distribution valve, the inlet of which is connected to the distribution manifold. Each distribution valve comprises a valve closure movable between a closed position that seals the valve inlet from the valve outlet and an open position that permits fluid flow therebetween, a pneumatic actuator for moving the valve closure to the open position in response to the presence of fluid pressure and a fluid pressure transfer mechanism that transmits fluid pressure from the actuator to the discharge valve release mechanism in response to movement of the valve closure to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton J. Morrisette
  • Patent number: 4298335
    Abstract: A fuel burner control system including a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner, a resistive heater element for igniting fuel, a power supply for supplying current to the heater element, a flame sensing circuit comprising an ac source for supplying ac voltage to the heater element, and a detector for producing an output signal only in response to the flow through the heating element of current rectified by the flame, a valve control circuit for maintaining the valve open in response to the output signal, and a coupling circuit interconnecting the heating element with both the power supply and the sensing circuit and adapted to prevent the flow of current therebetween. By utilizing a coupling circuit that prevents the flow of current between the power supply and the flame sensing circuit, the resistive heater element can be efficiently and alternately used both as a fuel igniting mechanism and as an electrode for deriving current rectified by flame at the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Riordan, Richard A. Cunha
  • Patent number: 4296773
    Abstract: A manually operable hydraulic selector valve includes a plurality of two-way spool valves which are normally closed and are selectively shiftable individually or in pairs by a joy stick operator to open positions whereby motive fluid can be delivered to a given instrumentality such as the jack cylinder of a construction crane outrigger arm. The joy stick carries a conical disc which cammingly engages drive pin extensions of the individual spool valves. A positive stop for the conical disc is afforded by contact of the disc with the mounting plate of the selector valve. The selector valve is employed with an associated two-way directional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Harshman, Lynn A. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 4287732
    Abstract: A key-actuated padlock comprises a shackle, a case to receive the shackle d a flat, substantially U-shaped spring within the case. One leg of the spring serves as a bolt to restrain the movement of the shackle and the other leg serves as an ejector, urging the shackle out of engagement with the bolt leg. The bolt leg is formed to receive a key to unlock the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Remington
  • Patent number: 4286768
    Abstract: The invention is a pressure responsive shut-off valve including a valve housing that defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet separated by a valve seat. A valve closure accommodated by the valve seat moves between open and closed positions to control fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. Controlling the valve is a valve operator including a pressure responsive piston that moves between a set position in which the valve closure is separated from the valve seat and a release position in which the closure is seated on the seat to prevent fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. Retaining the piston is a magnetic plunger that defines an activating volume communicating with the inlet and establishing on one face of the piston a fluid pressure forcing the piston toward its release position, and a reference volume communicating with the inlet and establishing on the opposite face of the piston a reference volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Fiedler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4279330
    Abstract: Normal operating fluid pressure is applied behind a brake release piston in a first pressure chamber in the brake assembly. Variable operator control fluid pressure is applied in a second chamber of the assembly behind a brake applying piston which opposes the brake release piston in the assembly. A dry chamber for stator and rotor discs of the brake lies between the two pistons with a skirt of the brake release piston surrounding the discs and engaging a pressure plate forming the endmost stator disc adjacent to the brake applying piston. Brake applying springs are intervened between the pressure plate and brake applying piston to impart to the disc brake a fail-safe capability as well as a brake "on" condition when the system is depressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Pottorff, Rene G. Galmiche
  • Patent number: 4276676
    Abstract: A device for mounting a handle on a luggage case or the like includes a s having a pair of posts spaced apart on opposite ends of a mounting base. Between the posts is an opening through the stud sized to pass the end of a handle. The stud has a slot which extends perpendicular to the base on opposite sides of the opening into the interior of the posts. An L-shaped pin passed through a hole in the end of the handle is held closely captured in the slot to connect the handle to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Stolarz
  • Patent number: 4259856
    Abstract: A pair of combination locks is employed to hold the lid of a luggage case cked closed, with a left-hand lock operating as a mirror image of a right-hand lock. Principal parts of the locks, including improved dial-indexing springs (but not the dials) are interchangeable. The dial-indexing springs cooperate with the dials of left-hand and right-hand locks in the same manner, so that all of the dials have the same action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Wingert
  • Patent number: 4260043
    Abstract: A clip for securing a valance to a luggage shell encompasses the edge of shell and includes means for biting into the shell to securely attach the clip to the shell, and a pair of members formed for abutting engagement with inner shoulders on both the inner and outer flanges of the valance to oppose forces tending to separate the valance from the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Remington
  • Patent number: D258552
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Stolarz
  • Patent number: D261724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lazlo Bako
  • Patent number: D261725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Stolarz
  • Patent number: D263279
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Presto Lock Company, Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Stolarz
  • Patent number: D264617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Freeman
  • Patent number: D272516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Walter Kidde & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Ohno